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Hantman RM, Johnston EB, Tager-Flusberg H. Parental Perspectives: How Sensory Sensitivities Impact the Transition to Adulthood in Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:544-562. [PMID: 36402934 PMCID: PMC9676764 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05815-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Sensory sensitivities are common in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and impact daily life, but research has largely focused on children, neglecting older individuals. Likewise, while there is research regarding parental concerns for their autistic children's transition to adulthood, little is known about the role of sensory sensitivities. To address this gap, 66 parents of autistic adolescents and young adults were interviewed and their responses were qualitatively analyzed. All parents believed their children's sensory sensitivities impacted their transition to adulthood, primary developmentally/psychologically, interpersonally/socially, and managerially. These beliefs did not significantly differ by child characteristics, such as age and ASD severity. Parent perceptions were modality and context specific. Given these findings, transition planning should consider individual's specific sensory sensitivities to optimize independence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel M Hantman
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
| | - Emily B Johnston
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Helen Tager-Flusberg
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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Toscano CVA, Ferreira JP, Quinaud RT, Silva KMN, Carvalho HM, Gaspar JM. Exercise improves the social and behavioral skills of children and adolescent with autism spectrum disorders. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1027799. [PMID: 36620673 PMCID: PMC9813515 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1027799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Currently, there is no standard treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), but there are many ways to minimize the symptoms and maximize abilities. Some studies suggest that exercise and other physical activities with children with ASD may be beneficial. In this study, we hypothesized that a physical exercise program (48-week exercise-intervention) could improve symptomatology dyad among children and adolescents with ASD. Our main aim was to examine the effects of physical activity on the primary clinical symptoms and associated comorbidities in children and adolescents with ASD. Methods We allocated 229 children with ASD, ranging in age from 2.3-17.3 years (M = 7.8, SD = 3.2), into three groups: (a) exercise- intervention group, (b) control group from the same institution, and (c) control group from another institution. The exercise program was performed at moderate intensity in a 30 min section twice a week for 48 weeks. We used Bayesian multilevel regression modeling to examine participant outcomes and responses to the exercise-intervention. Results Our results showed that a 48-week exercise-intervention substantially decreased ASD social interaction problems, attention deficit, emotional reactivity, stereotypical verbal and motor behavior, and sleep disturbances. However, physical exercise did not affect eye contact and food selectivity. We also observed that ASD severity and socioeconomic status influence eye contact, attention deficit, and sleep disturbance responses. Conclusion In conclusion, children and adolescents with ASD exposed to a 48-week physical exercise-intervention program had important improvements in ASD symptoms. This study highlights that structured exercise programs can be a powerful complementary therapy for the ASD population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrystiane V. A. Toscano
- Institute of Physical Education and Sport, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
| | - José P. Ferreira
- Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ricardo T. Quinaud
- Department of Physical Education, School of Sports, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Keity M. N. Silva
- Physical Education Service, Unified Center for Integration and Development of Autism, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
| | - Humberto M. Carvalho
- Department of Physical Education, School of Sports, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Joana M. Gaspar
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
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Morales J, Fukuda DH, Garcia V, Pierantozzi E, Curto C, Martínez-Ferrer JO, Gómez AM, Carballeira E, Guerra-Balic M. Behavioural Improvements in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder after Participation in an Adapted Judo Programme Followed by Deleterious Effects during the COVID-19 Lockdown. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:8515. [PMID: 34444263 PMCID: PMC8394929 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The public health lockdown prompted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which included school closures that may have potentially serious consequences for people with disabilities or special educational needs, disrupted an ongoing adapted judo training intervention in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The purpose of this study was to compare repetitive behaviours, social interaction, social communication, emotional responses, cognitive style and maladaptive speech scores across four time-points: baseline, after an eight-week control period, after an eight-week judo intervention and after an eight-week lockdown period due to COVID-19. The sample consisted of 11 children diagnosed with ASD according to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition (DSM-V), with an intelligence quotient (IQ) range between 60 and 70. Significant improvements were shown following the judo intervention period compared to the baseline and control periods. However, the same values significantly declined during the COVID-19 lockdown period resulting in values lower than those recorded at baseline, and following the control period and the judo intervention. The decline in psychosocial and behavioural scores are likely due to the stress caused by the sudden halt in activity and the increase in sedentary practices associated with the lockdown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Morales
- Faculty of Psychology, Education Sciences and Sport Blanquerna, Ramon Llull University, 08022 Barcelona, Spain; (V.G.); (C.C.); (J.O.M.-F.); (A.M.G.); (M.G.-B.)
| | - David H. Fukuda
- School of Kinesiology & Physical Therapy, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USA;
| | - Vanessa Garcia
- Faculty of Psychology, Education Sciences and Sport Blanquerna, Ramon Llull University, 08022 Barcelona, Spain; (V.G.); (C.C.); (J.O.M.-F.); (A.M.G.); (M.G.-B.)
| | | | - Cristina Curto
- Faculty of Psychology, Education Sciences and Sport Blanquerna, Ramon Llull University, 08022 Barcelona, Spain; (V.G.); (C.C.); (J.O.M.-F.); (A.M.G.); (M.G.-B.)
| | - Josep O. Martínez-Ferrer
- Faculty of Psychology, Education Sciences and Sport Blanquerna, Ramon Llull University, 08022 Barcelona, Spain; (V.G.); (C.C.); (J.O.M.-F.); (A.M.G.); (M.G.-B.)
| | - Antonia M. Gómez
- Faculty of Psychology, Education Sciences and Sport Blanquerna, Ramon Llull University, 08022 Barcelona, Spain; (V.G.); (C.C.); (J.O.M.-F.); (A.M.G.); (M.G.-B.)
| | - Eduardo Carballeira
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of A Coruna, 15179 Oleiros, Spain;
| | - Myriam Guerra-Balic
- Faculty of Psychology, Education Sciences and Sport Blanquerna, Ramon Llull University, 08022 Barcelona, Spain; (V.G.); (C.C.); (J.O.M.-F.); (A.M.G.); (M.G.-B.)
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Ferreira JP, Ghiarone T, Cabral Júnior CR, Furtado GE, Moreira Carvalho H, Machado-Rodrigues AM, Andrade Toscano CV. Effects of Physical Exercise on the Stereotyped Behavior of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 55:medicina55100685. [PMID: 31615098 PMCID: PMC6843401 DOI: 10.3390/medicina55100685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Recent studies have shown the existence of a positive relationship between physical exercise, symptomatic improvement, and reduction of damage caused by comorbidities associated with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) in children, adolescents, and adults. The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis (SRM) was to estimate the effects of physical exercise (PE) on the stereotyped behaviors of children with a diagnosis of ASD in intervention studies. Materials and Methods: The design followed the PRISMA guidelines and the TREND statement to assess the quality of information in each study. Nine non-randomized intervention trial studies with low, moderate, and vigorous physical exercise, with a duration varying from 8 to 48 weeks and a frequency of 3 times a week, were included in the SRM. The dependent variable episodes of stereotypical behaviors was analyzed in all studies and assessed as the number of episodes demonstrated by the child in pre- versus post-exercise intervention conditions. Results: The eight studies included a total 129 children (115 males and 14 females) with an average age of 8.93 ± 1.69 years. Children with ASD showed a reduction of 1.1 in the number of occurrences of stereotypical behaviors after intervention with physical exercise. Conclusion: Evidence was found to support physical exercise as an effective tool in reducing the number of episodes of stereotypical behaviors in children diagnosed with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Pedro Ferreira
- Sport and Physical Activity Research Center (CIDAF), University of Coimbra, 3040-156 Coimbra, Portugal; (G.E.F.); (C.V.A.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +35-19-2629-4135
| | - Thaysa Ghiarone
- Statistic Department, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió CEP 57072-970, Brazil;
| | | | - Guilherme Eustáquio Furtado
- Sport and Physical Activity Research Center (CIDAF), University of Coimbra, 3040-156 Coimbra, Portugal; (G.E.F.); (C.V.A.T.)
| | - Humberto Moreira Carvalho
- Faculty of Physical Education, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis CEP 88040-900, Brazil;
| | | | - Chrystiane Vasconcelos Andrade Toscano
- Sport and Physical Activity Research Center (CIDAF), University of Coimbra, 3040-156 Coimbra, Portugal; (G.E.F.); (C.V.A.T.)
- Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió CEP 57072-970, Brazil
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Chebli SS, Martin V, Lanovaz MJ. Prevalence of Stereotypy in Individuals with Developmental Disabilities: a Systematic Review. REVIEW JOURNAL OF AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s40489-016-0069-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Zhang Y, Yang C, Yuan G, Wang Z, Cui W, Li R. Sulindac attenuates valproic acid-induced oxidative stress levels in primary cultured cortical neurons and ameliorates repetitive/stereotypic-like movement disorders in Wistar rats prenatally exposed to valproic acid. Int J Mol Med 2014; 35:263-70. [PMID: 25384498 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2014.1996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that anti-inflammatory agents and antioxidants have neuroprotective properties and may be beneficial in the treatment of neurodevelopental disorders, such as autism. In the present study, the possible neuroprotective properties of sulindac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), were investigated in vitro using cultured cortical neurons with valproic acid (VPA)-induced neurotoxicity, as well as in vivo through the behavioral analysis of rats prenatally exposed to VPA as a model of autism. VPA induced 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and decreased cell viability in primary cultured cortical neurons established from timed-pregnant (embryonic day 18) Wistar rat pups. However, co-incubation of the neurons with VPA and sulindac reduced oxidative stress and increased cell viability. The rats were administered an intraperitoneal injection with one of the following: VPA, sulindac, VPA and sulindac, or physiological saline, and their offspring were subjected to the open field test. During the test trials, repetitive/stereotypic-like movements for each rat were recorded and analyzed. The results revealed that treatment with both sulindac and VPA reduced the VPA-induced repetitive/stereotypic-like activity and the sulindac and VPA-treated animals responded better in the open field test compared to the VPA-treated animals. The results from the present study demonstrate that the antioxidant properties of sulindac may prove to be beneficial in the treatment of autism, suggesting that the upregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway disrupts oxidative homeostasis and facilitates susceptibility to autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghua Zhang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China
| | - Cailing Yang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, P.R. China
| | - Guoyan Yuan
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Xinxiang Medical University, Weihui, Henan 453100, P.R. China
| | - Zhongping Wang
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
| | - Weigang Cui
- Department of Human Anatomy, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, P.R. China
| | - Ruixi Li
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P.R. China
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Neely L, Rispoli M, Gerow S, Ninci J. Effects of Antecedent Exercise on Academic Engagement and Stereotypy During Instruction. Behav Modif 2014; 39:98-116. [DOI: 10.1177/0145445514552891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Antecedent physical exercise has emerged as a potentially promising treatment for reducing challenging behavior and increasing academic behavior in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of physical exercise conducted prior to instructional sessions (antecedent physical exercise) on academic engagement and stereotypy during instructional sessions for two children diagnosed with ASD. Functional analysis results suggested stereotypy was maintained by automatic reinforcement for both participants. A multielement design was employed to evaluate academic engagement and stereotypy during instructional sessions following randomly sequenced conditions involving either (a) no antecedent exercise, (b) brief durations of antecedent exercise, or (c) antecedent exercise that continued until the participant engaged in a systematically determined behavioral indicator of satiation. Both participants demonstrated higher levels of academic engagement and reduced levels of stereotypy during the instructional sessions which followed antecedent physical exercise that continued until behavioral indicators of satiation occurred. This study replicates previous research suggesting that individuals with ASD may benefit from physical exercise prior to academic instruction and further suggests that the duration of antecedent exercise may be optimally individualized based on behavioral indicators of satiation.
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